Prince Of Peace Presbyterian Church Thursday, November 18, 1999
Crofton, MD 1:00 p.m.
noon Registration and Reading Time for White Books
Mission Displays: Allegany Law Foundation and Cumberland Interfaith
Consortium
1:00 Call to Order and Opening Prayer
1:05 Worship
1:45 Welcome by Host Pastor, the Rev. Jon Fregger; Roll Call (by enrollment sheets);
Introduction of New Pastors and Elders
1:55 Report of the Stated Clerk, pages 3-5
Motion to approve the docket (Submit New Business to the Stated Clerk by 3:00 p.m.)
Consent Motion, pages 2-3
2:15 Committee on Mission, page 5 Steve Shussett
Allegany Law Foundation, Kathleen Callan; Cumberland Interfaith Consortium,
Cathy Gilmore
2:30 Committee on Education and Congregational Nurture Pat Aaserude
2:35 Committee on Preparation for Ministry, page 6 Robert Ferguson
2:40 Committee on Peace and Justice Bill Turner
2:45 Global Mission Committee Pat Byerly
Medical Benevolence Foundation, Forest Eggleston; Guatemala Partnership,
Bob Ferguson; Native American Task Force, George Demass; Jamaica
Partnership, Carl vom Eigen
3:10 Committee on Youth Mark Sandell
3:15 Committee on Stewardship and Mission Interpretation Committee Susan Meekins
Mission Giving Goals and Reality
3:20 Committee on Ministry, page 6-7 Bruce Barstow
3:25 Committee on Church Growth and Evangelism; Randallstown NCD, page 7 Aaron Lee
3:40 BIG EVENT Committee Howard Newman
3:45 Council; COGOS Report; Budget Adjustments, pages 7-8, 13-14 Jim Kirk
4:05 Nominating Committee, page 8 Cherry Marshall
4:10 Committee on Administration, pages 8-12 Valeria Tocci
4:25 New Business
4:30 Adjournment
These actions, brought to the Presbytery by various agencies and individuals,
are non-controversial and not likely to require explanation, discussion, or debate. To
conduct the routine business of these actions quickly and efficiently, they will be
voted on as a group. Delegates will be given the opportunity, by calling the Stated
Clerk in advance or from the floor of Presbytery, to remove any action from the
Consent Motion in which case that action will be considered and voted on
individually.
from the Stated Clerk
1. THAT the Minutes of the 782nd Stated Meeting of the Presbytery, September
23, 1999, be approved as appended to this White Book.
2. THAT the Investigative Committee appointed by the Presbytery on June 17,
1999, be dismissed in that they report no credible evidence has been received
from the Complainant which would enable them to undertake an investigation.
3. THAT the Administrative Commission to install the Rev. Wayne Boulton as
Pastor of Roland Park Presbyterian Church, having been properly established
by the Committee on Ministry and consisting of Ministers Donald Lincoln,
Kenneth Byerly, Teresa Martin-Minnich, and Winslow Shaw; Elders Fred
Spigler (Havenwood), Chair, Robert Ferguson (Grace), and Donna Triptow
(Roland Park); and Corresponding Members Rev. Jennifer McKenna, Rev.
Peggy Witherspoon (Presbytery of the James), and Matthew Boulton
(Northminster Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of Chicago), be dismissed in
that Rev. Boulton answered the required constitutional questions in the
affirmative and was duly installed on October 10, 1999.
4. THAT the Administrative Commission to install the Rev. J. Davis Patterson as
Pastor of Grove Presbyterian Church, having been properly established by the
Committee on Ministry and consisting of Ministers Margaret Ferguson, Robert
Ferguson, and Herbert Valentine; Elders Fred Spigler (Havenwood), Chair,
Robert Muse (Churchville), and Helen Farmer (Grove); and Corresponding
Members Rev. Edgar L. Patton (American Baptist Convention) and Hal Lootens
(Grove) be dismissed in the Rev. Patterson answered the required
constitutional questions in the affirmative and was duly installed on October
17, 1999.
5. THAT the Administrative Commission to install the Rev. Kenneth E. Kovacs as
Pastor of Catonsville Presbyterian Church, having been properly established by
the Committee on Ministry and consisting of Ministers Tom Speers, Cherry
Marshall, and Aaron Lee; Elders Fred Spigler (Havenwood), Chair, John
Schwartz (Catonsville), Elizabeth Steiner (Dickey Memorial), and Robert
Ferguson (Grace); and Corresponding Members Rev. Lawson R. Brown
(Church of Scotland), Rev. Christy Walters (Church of the Brethren) and Rev.
Alex Charles Coblentz (United Methodist Church) be dismissed in that Rev.
Kovacs answered the required constitutional questions in the affirmative and
was duly installed on November 7, 1999.
6. THAT the Administrative Commission to install the Rev. Walter Peters as
Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Westminster, having been properly
established by the Committee on Ministry and consisting of Ministers George
Toole, Chair, Stella Dempski, and Sidney Venable; Elders Art Mueller (First of
Westminster) and Mitzi Ecker (Mt. Paran); and Corresponding Member Rev.
William Ross Johnston (Presbytery of Trinity) be dismissed in that Rev. Peters
answered the required constitutional questions in the affirmative and was duly
installed on November 7, 1999.
7. THAT Presbytery accept the invitation of Chesapeake Center to host the 786th
Stated Meeting of Presbytery on April 27, 2000, at 1:00 p.m. (no meal).
from the Committee on Ministry
8. THAT the Rev. Ernest R. D. Smart be placed on the roll of Members-at-Large,
effective September 1, 1999.
9. REPORTS
A. Presbytery has received word that the Rev. Robert Armstrong, HR, is a
patient in the GBMC Hospice; his condition is grave.
B. Synod of the Mid-Atlantic
From among those nominated by the Presbytery Council, Synod selected the following to serve on the Synod Review Task Force:
Jamie Dale (M)(Male)
Alice Read (E, Govans)(W)
C. Minutes of the Executive Session of August 9, 1999
The committee appointed by the Presbytery at its last meeting to
approve the minutes of the Executive Session of August 9, 1999,
has filed the approved minutes with the Stated Clerk.
D. Remedial Complaint
The Rev. Ernest Smart has filed a Remedial Complaint against the
Presbytery of Baltimore. The Statement of Complaint is as
follows: "Complaint is made to the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic of
the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) against the Presbytery of
Baltimore concerning irregularities in its process, decisions and
actions hereinafter described regarding the pastoral relationship
of the Rev. Ernest R. D. Smart with the Second Presbyterian
Church of Baltimore, Maryland."
E. Resignations
Stephanie Spangler-Trobaugh from the Committee on Youth
Greg Seltzer from the Committee on Education and Congregation Nurture
Barrett Rudd from the Committee on Preparation for Ministry
10. THAT the Docket, printed on page 1, be adopted with any changes announced
by the Stated Clerk.
11. THAT the Consent Motion, printed on pages 2 and 3, be adopted.
12. THAT the following New Business, submitted to the Stated Clerk by the
Reverends Theodore Durr, Mary Gaut, Roger Gench, David Pollitt, John Sharp,
Thomas Speers, Donald Stroud, John Warren, and Robin White, be docketed
for consideration at the January 27, 2000 meeting of Baltimore Presbytery:
That the Presbytery of Baltimore either concur with
"The Milwaukee Overture" (2000), if the way be clear, or
overture the 212th General Assembly (2000) to direct the
Stated Clerk of the PC(USA) to send the following proposed
amendment to the presbyteries for their affirmative or
negative vote:
13. Proposed Amendments to the Constitution
[Note: One Amendment Book has been sent to each church with the White
Book mailing. They are also available from the Presbytery Office and will be at
the registration table.]
The Stated Clerk of the General Assembly has sent to each Presbytery
recommended Amendments to the Book of Order, including an Ecumenical
Statement, for the Presbytery's affirmative (YES) or negative (NO) votes. The
Amendments and Statement are listed in the chart below. Committee and
Council recommendations have been received for the Amendments scheduled
for a vote at this meeting; they are designated "Nov." in the right hand column;
those marked with an asterisk (*) will be voted upon as a group.
| Subject | Committee | Committee Recom-mends | Council
Recom-mends |
Presbytery Vote | |
| A. | Confidentiality | COM | NO | NO | Nov. |
| B. | Retired Pastors | COM | NO | NO | Nov. |
| C. | Presiding Officers | Admin | NO | NO | Nov. |
| D. | CLP may be Moderator | COM | NO | NO | JAN |
| E. | New Immigrant Pastors | COM | NO |
JAN | |
| Preparation | |||||
| F. | GA Structure: Council of the Assembly | Admin | YES | YES | Nov. * |
| G. | Rules of Discipline:
Petition for Review |
Admin | YES | YES | Nov. * |
| H. | Rules of Discipline:
Jurisdiction |
Admin | NO | NO | Nov. |
| I. | Rules of Discipline:
Renunciation of Jurisdiction |
Admin | YES | YES | Nov. |
| Ecumenical Statement:
"Visible Marks of Churches Uniting in Christ." |
Council | YES | Nov. |
14. WELCOMES to this meeting representatives from two of the Presbytery's
mission partners; their informational exhibits are on display at this meeting.
ALLEGANY LAW FOUNDATION
110 Green Street
Cumberland, MD 21502
Kathleen M. Callan, Executive Director 301-722-3390
CUMBERLAND INTERFAITH CONSORTIUM
325 Frederick Street
Cumberland, MD 21502
Cathy Gilmore, Acting Director 301-777-7388
15. REPORTS that churches will shortly receive a mailing that will offer the
opportunity to pray for all of our mission partners, including those receiving
Flex Grants this year.
16. THAT the following Flex Grants be approved:
A. Hunting Ridge Presbyterian Church: $1,100 for the creation of a before
and after school program for children attending the Thomas Jefferson
Elementary School.
B. Harford County Lyme Disease Support Group, Inc: $1,000 to promote
awareness of, and education about, Lyme disease which is very
prevalent in that area.
C. Light Street Presbyterian Church: $900 for initiation of a church growth
strategy utilizing a postcard program.
17. THAT Scott Caulkins, First of Bel Air, be enrolled as an Inquirer into the
Ministry of Word and Sacrament.
18. REPORTS
A. Youth Advisory Delegate (YAD) application forms for the Synod Meeting
and the General Assembly have been mailed to congregations. Please
encourage your youth to apply. The deadline is January 25, 2000.
B. The Senior High Retreat is scheduled for March 3-5, 2000. The theme
is "To Be Determined." Registration materials will arrive at local churches
after the first of the year.
C. The Middle School Retreat in October was a huge success: all spaces
were filled. Christine Gannon spoke on the theme "Go Tell It on the
Mountain." The next Middle School Retreat will be in October, 2000.
D. "The Dawn...An Epiphany" is still accepting registrations. This is a
middle school, high school, young adult, and college age celebration in
Indianapolis from December 28 to January 1, 2000. Additional
information is available from the General Assembly; call 1-800-UP-2-DATE. A small supply of registration brochures are available at the
Presbytery Office.
E. Four youth-related workshops will be offered at The Big Event:
Rebuilding Your Youth Ministry, Adolescent Faith Development, A Mini-Retreat for Youth, and Reaching The Millenial Generation.
19. REPORTS that it approved the Rev. Robert Jewett as Interim Associate Pastor
at Towson Presbyterian Church, Annapolis, effective September 1, 1999.
20. THAT Presbytery, acting in Executive Session, concur in the changes in Terms
of Call listed in the 1999 Report of Pastors' Compensation available at the
registration table.
21. Recommends that all pastors who have not reported their terms of call for
1999 shall not receive a salary in the year 2000. They are Tim Stern, Bill
Johnston, Harry Cahill, Janet Jones, Roger Gench, Ron Scates, Jerry Cooper,
Carl vom Eigen, Howard Newman, Linda Nepstad, George Evans, Bob
Ferguson, Ben Jones, Stephanie Spangler-Trobaugh, Stella Dempski, Alex
Hurt, Ginger Memmott, Daris Bultena, Jack Sharp, Arthur Reynolds, Peg
Ferguson, John Ailstock, Margee Iddings, Harry Schill, Jim Richards, Barbara
Laukaitis, John Kazanjian, Dallas Landrum, Curtis Jones, Karen Brown, James
Salango, Scott Milsom, Terry Martin-Minnich, John Warren, Chang Ho Kim,
George Toole, Terry Schoener, and David Huusko.
22. THAT Presbytery concur in the request of the Babcock Presbyterian Church to
change the call of the Rev. Janet Jones to twenty hours per week. This
recognizes her actual work time, but does not change her total compensation
package.
23. THAT, upon the recommendation of the Randallstown New Church
Development Committee, which on November 19, 1998 was designated by the
Presbytery also to be the Pastor Nominating Committee for the position of
Organizing Pastor of the Randallstown New Church Development, and upon
the concurrence of the Committee on Ministry, the Presbytery of Baltimore call
the Rev. Jerry L. Cannon of the Presbytery of Charlotte as the Organizing
Pastor of the Randallstown New Church Development, effective at a date in
2000 to be mutually agreed upon, with the terms of call listed below. The
factor for the position was established at 1010 by the Presbytery on November
19, 1998. Further, THAT, if the call is accepted, the Presbytery request his
transfer from the Presbytery of Charlotte. The Committees have established
certain benchmarks in the development of the Randallstown New Church.
They will recommend to the Presbytery a reduction in the level of funding for
this position if these benchmarks are not achieved.
Salary, Housing $86,000
Moving Costs All Reasonable
Auto Allowance* $5,000
Mortgage Assistance
Study Leave, Books $2,000
Professional Expense* $2,000
Vacation, Study Leave, Pension per Manual
*Vouchered
24. REPORTS that it acted on behalf of the Presbytery, in order that the thirty day
response deadline could be met, to appoint Elder E. Bruce Jones, Chair, Elder
Valeria Tocci (Trinity), and Rev. Thomas G. Speers, III, as the Committee of
Counsel to represent the Presbytery (G-6.0302) in regard to the Complaint filed
by the Rev. Ernest Smart.
25. REPORTS
A. Council has directed its Chair to appoint a Special Committee,
composed of representatives of the Peace and Justice and the Education
and Congregational Nurture Committees and other persons as
appropriate, to recommend to the Council a plan for following the GA
request to study "The Unity We Seek in the Midst of Our Diversity."
B. Council has made the final adjustment to the Budget to provide for staff
salary changes. It provided for a 2.2% increase for the Executive and
Program Staffs and Compensated Officers. It provided a 4.1% increase
in the salary scale of the administrative and support staff. See Budget
Schedules 12 and 13 on pages 13 and 14.
C. The Committee on Goals, Objectives and Strategies (COGOS) has
submitted its final report, which the Council adopted as a working
document. Copies of the report will be available at the registration table.
26. THAT the Mission Statement (page 5), Core Values (page 6), and Goals (page
7) presented in the COGOS Final Report be received for first reading and
docketed to be considered for adoption at the January, 2000, meeting.
27. NOMINATES
to the Worship Committee of Council,
Class of 2000 Florence Henderson (E,F) Grace
Barbara McGill (E,F) Faith
Barbara Stumpf (Candidate, F) Govans
Class of 2001 Fritz Longabaugh (C,M)
Daris Bultena (C,M)
*to the Personnel Committee of Council,
Class of 2000 Ralph Anger (E,M) Woods
Don Lincoln (C,M)
Class of 2002 Mary Gaut (C,F)
*to the Nominating Committee of Presbytery,
Class of 2002 Muriel Burrows (C,F, R/E)
* These nominations were not received in time to be acted upon by Council.
Therefore, since they are not official committee nominations, they will require
a second.
28. NOMINATES
to the Education and Congregational Nurture Committee,
Class of 2000 Stella Dempski (C,F)
to the Mission Committee,
Class of 2002 Donald Stroud (C,M)
to the Committee on Stewardship and Mission Interpretation,
Class of 2002 Peter Leathersich (C,M)
29. THAT the Presbytery accept the report of the Baltimore Chapter of
Presbyterians Pro-Life as appended to this White Book.
30. THAT the Presbytery Overture the General Assembly as follows:
A. On Amending G-14.0310a to Provide that Presbyteries Certify Candidates as Ready for Examination
for Ordination, Pending a Call. (from the Presbytery of Baltimore)
[The Committee on Preparation for Ministry has reviewed this overture and concurred.]
The Presbytery of Baltimore respectfully overtures the 212th General Assembly (2000) to direct the
Stated Clerk to send the following proposed amendment to the presbyteries for their affirmative or
negative votes:
Shall the last sentence of G-14.0310a be deleted and a new sentence added which shall read
as follows:
When, in the opinion of the committee on preparation for ministry a candidate is ready for
examination for ordination, pending a call, it shall recommend to the presbytery that the presbytery
so certify the candidate. (See G-14.0507.) Presbyteries may provide by rule for the committee on
preparation for ministry, or the council, to so certify on behalf of the presbytery.
1. The current wording of the Book of Order gives
the committee on preparation for ministry the
authority to certify candidates as ready for
examination, and only requires that this be
reported to the presbytery. In effect, this gives
greater authority to a committee than to the
presbytery as a body. It is inappropriate for the
Book of Order to prescribe levels of authority
within a presbytery. The Book of Order should
assign an authority to the presbytery and allow
the presbytery to determine whether it wishes to
delegate this authority to its committee.
2. In LeTourneau v. Presbytery of Twin Cities (GA
Minutes (1993), pp 163-166) the GA PJC held
that the "policy statement" (the definitive
guidance and related policy guidance adopted by
the GA in 1978 which prohibited the ordination
of self-affirming, practicing homosexual
persons) needed to be applied by the presbytery
at the time of certification. It is inappropriate--especially in the current climate of
controversy surrounding the matter of the
ordination of homosexual persons--for this critical determination to be made by a committee
rather than by the presbytery as a body.
B. On Amending G-9.0202b and G-10.0103a to Authorize the Presbytery to Appoint the Moderator of
a Session. (from the Presbytery of Baltimore)
The Presbytery of Baltimore respectfully overtures the 212th General Assembly (2000) to direct the
Stated Clerk to send the following proposed amendment to the presbyteries for their affirmative or
negative votes:
Shall G-9.0202b be amended by removing the first two sentences (regarding moderators of
sessions) and adding, at the end, "See G-10.0103 regarding moderators of sessions.)"; and
Shall G-10.0103a be amended by adding, in the first sentence, "except when the Presbytery
appoints otherwise", and change "pastor" to "moderator" at its second occurrence, so that the first
sentence reads: "The pastor of the church shall be the moderator of the session except when the
Presbytery appoints otherwise, and the session shall not meet without the moderator except as
hereunder provided."
1. The first two sentences of G-9.0202b duplicate
the same policy as G-10.0103a regarding the
appointment of session moderators. This adds
unnecessary material to the Book of Order and
requires a double amendment to change the
policy. It is therefore recommended that this
duplication be removed.
2. G-10.0103a provides no means for a session of
a church with an installed pastor to meet if that
pastor objects.
3. In times of conflict between a Session and a
pastor, the Session may be unable to meet. It can
seek the assistance of the committee on ministry
only as individuals, not as a session. The
presbytery can replace the session, but without
the power to appoint an alternate moderator, it
cannot provide for the session to meet, unless
this power is assumed under the general
authority of administrative review.
4. In such times of extreme conflict, this provision,
expected to be seldom used, provides the
presbytery with a lesser alternative to appointing
an administrative commission with the power of
session.
C. On Amending G-9.0302 so that Roberts Rules of Order is the Parliamentary Authority for
Congregational Meetings. (from the Presbytery of Baltimore)
The Presbytery of Baltimore respectfully overtures the 212th General Assembly (2000) to direct the
Stated Clerk to send the following proposed amendment to the presbyteries for their affirmative or
negative votes:
Shall G-9.0302 be amended by adding the word "congregations" following "governing bodies"
so that G-9.0302 reads "Meetings of governing bodies, congregations, commissions, and committees
shall be conducted in accordance with the most recent edition of Robert's Rules of Order, except in
those cases where this Constitution provides otherwise."
1. As presently written, the Book of Order provides
no parliamentary authority for congregational
meetings since a congregation is neither a
governing body nor a committee or commission.
D. On Amending G-11.0101b to Provide Flexibility to Presbyteries in Redressing the Imbalance of
Elders and Ministers. (from the Presbytery of Baltimore)
The Presbytery of Baltimore respectfully overtures the 212th General Assembly (2000) to direct the
Stated Clerk to send the following proposed amendment to the presbyteries for their affirmative or
negative votes:
Shall G-11.0101b be stricken in its entirety and replaced with the following:
G-11.0101 "b. When the number of ministers entitled to vote in the presbytery is greater than
the number of elders so entitled, it shall address this imbalance by providing for the election,
appointment, or selection of additional elders, paying special attention to the concerns of G-9.0104."
1. The primary concern of Baltimore Presbytery is
that the current wording calls for redress of
imbalance at the first meeting of the year, and
this consistently takes place before sessions have
submitted their statistical reports. Without the
report data, redress of imbalance is impossible
to do accurately or fairly.
2. Further review of the paragraph suggests that it
is both wordy and needlessly restrictive. The
only policy necessary in the Book of Order is a
general requirement and authority to redress
imbalance, highlighting concerns for
inclusiveness. This can be accomplished with
the much simpler wording proposed here.
E. On Deleting D-6.0302b so that Executives and Clerks May Serve on Committees of Counsel. (from
the Presbytery of Baltimore)
The Presbytery of Baltimore respectfully overtures the 212th General Assembly (2000) to direct the
Stated Clerk to send the following proposed amendment to the presbyteries for their affirmative or
negative votes:
Shall D-6.0302b be deleted from the Book of Order?
1. The usual concern to preserve the impartiality of
governing body officers, particularly the clerk,
in the disciplinary process does not apply when
the governing body itself is a party to a case. It
is impossible for executives or clerks to carry
out the actions of a governing body and at the
same time be impartial in a case involving that
governing body. Therefore, excluding them
from serving on a committee of counsel cannot
preserve an impartiality which they do not
possess.
2. Parties in opposition to a governing body may
receive impartial advice from the Stated Clerk of
the governing body electing the PJC which will
hear the case. That stated clerk does not have a
conflict and is available to advise both parties in
the case.
3. In many cases, particularly on a Session, but
also in middle governing bodies, the person with
the most expertise and experience in church
polity is the clerk. That is often the specific
reason the person has been elected clerk. To
exclude that person from serving on a committee
of counsel may deny the governing body the
services of its most qualified member.
CHOIR DIRECTOR Springfield Presbyterian Church. Duties include
Wednesday evening rehearsals, Sunday morning
rehearsals, Sunday worship. September through mid-June. Some special services (Christmas Eve, Ash
Wednesday) also required. Call or write the church at
7314 Spout Hill road, Sykesville, MD 21784, 410-795-6152.
CHOIR ROBES FREE! 40 royal blue choir robes including one organist robe
and one choir director robe from Second Presbyterian
Church. Stoles might also be available. Call John Tucker at
410-323-7790.
January 27 Presbytery Meeting, Hughes Memorial PC, 1 p
February 25-March 4 Mission Trip to Guatemala
February 26 THE BIG EVENT
Christ Memorial Presbyterian Church
Columbia, MD
8:30 a - 4:30 p
March 3 World Day of Prayer
March 3-5 Senior High Retreat. Theme: "To Be Determined"
March 23 Presbytery Meeting, Central PC, 4 p
April 15 Presbyterian Women Spring Gathering, First of Bel Air
April 27 Presbytery Meeting, Chesapeake Center, 1 p
June 15 Presbytery Meeting, Grove PC, 4 p
July 6-9 Presbyterian Women Summer Gathering (Synod),
Montreat, NC
July 15-19 Churchwide Presbyterian Women Gathering, Louisville.
KY
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FAST FOOD
On Route 3 north of the church: McDonald's
Taco Bell
Wendy's
Boston Market
Popeye's
Kentucky Fried Chicken
At the intersection of Routes 3 and 450: Burger King
LEISURELY DINING
Jasper's at the intersection of Routes 3 and 450; moderately priced
American cuisine; reservations recommended, 410-721-0041.
The Sly Horse Tavern on Crofton Parkway one block from the church;
slightly more expensive Chesapeake seafood cuisine; reservations
recommended, 410-721-4550.
The 783rd Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of Baltimore, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), was called
to order in prayer at 1:00 p.m. on November 18, 1999, by the Moderator, Fred Spigler.
WORSHIP: Led by the Reverends Fritz Longabaugh, Jon Fregger, Daris Bultena, Barbara Laukaitis,
and Cherry Marshall; Elders Moderator Fred Spigler, Florence Henderson, and Marie Cannon;
Suzanne Barthold, Organist/Choir Director, Prince of Peace, Barbara McGill, Organist/Choir
Director, Deer Creek Harmony; and Candidate Barbara Stumpf, Govans.
WELCOME BY THE HOST PASTOR: Rev. John Fregger, Host Pastor, welcomed the Presbytery.
New pastors and elders were introduced. Rev. Allison Halsey, Presbytery of Western New York, was
enrolled as a continuing corresponding member. Rev. Elbert Lai, pulpit supply at Baltimore
Taiwanese Presbyterian church and former professor in the Taiwan Theological Seminary, was
enrolled as a corresponding member.
CONSENT MOTION AND REPORT OF THE STATED CLERK: Elder Charles Forbes, Stated
Clerk, reported. The Consent Motion, printed in the White Book, was adopted with one correction:
Rev. Corinne Baker was on the Administrative Commission to install the Rev. J. Davis Patterson
[Investigative Committee dismissed]. Presbytery voted as follows on the proposed amendments
to the Constitution: A,B,C: NO. F,G,I: YES. Ecumenical Statement: YES. The vote on H was
postponed until January, and the Stated Clerk was requested to seek clarification of the amendment
from the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly.
COMMITTEE ON MISSION: Rev. Steve Shussett, Chair, reported. Representatives of the mission
projects listed in the White Book reported. Presbytery approved the Flex Grants printed in the
White Book.
COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND CONGREGATIONAL NURTURE: Rev. Terry Martin
Minnich reported.
COMMITTEE ON PREPARATION FOR MINISTRY: Rev. Robert Ferguson, Chair, reported.
Scott Caulkins was enrolled as an Inquirer.
COMMITTEE ON PEACE AND JUSTICE: Elder Bill Turner, Chair, reported.
GLOBAL MISSION COMMITTEE: Elder Pat Byerly, Chair, reported. Forest Eggleston reported
on the Medical Benevolence Foundation. Susan Wright reported on the Worldwide Ministries
Conference in Falls Church, VA.
COMMITTEE ON STEWARDSHIP AND MISSION INTERPRETATION: Susan Meekins reported.
COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY: Rev. Bruce Barstow, Chair, reported. White Book correction:
Rev. Jewett is Interim Associate Pastor at Towson Presbyterian Church effective October 1, 1999.
The actions listed in the White Book, including the Consent Motion, were approved [Ernest Smart
Member at Large; change in the call of Janet Jones]. In Executive Session the Presbytery
approved changes in call of members of the Presbytery. Presbytery adopted the following
resolution: "The Presbytery appreciates the faithful and diligent work of the leadership of Second
Presbyterian Church as they bring about healing and reconciliation. The Presbytery records strong
support and affirmation of the pastors and session. When approval was given for a co-pastorate, the
Presbytery invested its trust and expectations according to the standards of justice and the principles
of the Book of Order. Accordingly, it is felt that in the equal treatment required by the Book of Order
in the conditions of the co-pastorate an issue of justice appears. The final terms of closure and salary
continuation should be co-terminus, but the Second Presbyterian Church congregation has set
different dates, which appears to be an irregularity which the Presbytery calls to the Sessions'
attention and urges correction."
COMMITTEE ON CHURCH GROWTH AND EVANGELISM: The motion regarding the
Randallstown New Church Development was withdrawn.
BIG EVENT COMMITTEE: Rev. Howard Newman, Chair, reported.
COUNCIL: Rev. Jerry Cooper reported on the final COGOS report which was distributed. The
Goals, Core Values, and Priorities will be presented for adoption at the January meeting. The
nominees listed in the White Book were elected.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE: Rev. Cherry Marshall, Chair, reported. The nominees listed in the
White Book were elected.
COMMITTEE ON ADMINISTRATION: Valeria Tocci reported. Presbytery accepted the report
of the Baltimore Chapter of Presbyterians Pro-Life. Overtures A, C, D, and E were adopted.
Overture B was referred back to the Committee on Administration for possible rewording.
ATTENDANCE: Commissioners 42; Ministers 66; Elder Officers 6; YADS 0; Continuing
Corresponding Members 1; Visitors 20.
ADJOURNMENT: There being no new business, the Presbytery adjourned with prayer at 4:30 p.m.,
next to convene for a Stated Meeting at 1:00 p.m. on January 27, 2000 at Hughes Memorial
Presbyterian Church, Edgemere, Maryland.
Respectfully submitted,
B. Dolores Melchior,
Assistant Stated Clerk
ATTEST:
________________________
Charles Forbes, Stated Clerk
ATTACHMENT: White Book